CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Fluminense stunned Inter Milan 2-0 in the Club World Cup round of 16, prompting Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martínez to criticize his teammates publicly after the loss.
“Whoever wants to stay, stay; whoever does not want to stay should go,” Martínez told DAZN after the match. “I have seen a lot of things that I didn’t like. I want to win.”
The forward’s comments come after an 11 monthlong season where they ended runners-up in both the Champions League and the Serie A.
Inter Milan appointed former defender Cristian Chivu as head coach following their 5-0 Champions League final defeat just before the Club World Cup.
The new coach supported Martínez's harsh assessment of the team.
The Brazilian side’s victory continues South American clubs’ strong showing in the tournament, with Fluminense becoming the second Brazilian team to reach the quarterfinal.
Fluminense’s Everaldo celebrated the victory as validation of South American football’s quality.
“We are teaching people around the world that South American football is good, too,” Everaldo said.
Fluminense will face the Manchester City-Al Hilal winner on Friday in Orlando, Florida.
All four Brazilian teams advanced to the round of 16, with Fluminense and Palmeiras now representing the country in the quarterfinals, reinforcing South American football’s growing influence on the global stage.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer
Fluminense's Thiago Silva, left, and Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella challenge for the ball during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Inter Milan and Fluminense in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Fluminense's German Cano (14) celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Inter Milan and Fluminense in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez reacts besides Fluminense's Ignacio during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Inter Milan and Fluminense in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo blocked a shot by LeBron James and stole the ball from him on consecutive possessions in the final minute, and the Milwaukee Bucks blew a fourth-quarter lead before rallying for a 105-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.
Kevin Porter Jr. scored 22 points, and he hit two free throws to break a tie after Antetokounmpo blocked a driving layup attempt by James with 39 seconds left.
Antetokounmpo then knocked the ball out of James' hands from behind with 2 seconds left, and Porter hit two more free throws to seal Milwaukee's fifth win in seven games — its first over a team with a winning record since Dec. 11. Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points in his lowest-scoring effort since returning from his right calf strain.
Luka Doncic had 24 points and nine assists on 8-of-25 shooting for the Lakers. He had his lowest-scoring performance since Christmas, and he fouled out on Porter's 3-point attempt with 16.2 seconds to play.
James had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but Antetokoumpo got the best of the top scorer in NBA history at crunch time. Los Angeles has lost six of 10.
Milwaukee surged to a double-digit lead in the first half even with Antetokounmpo on a minutes restriction in his injury return. Doncic scored 12 points in the third quarter but also committed four fouls in the period, including his fifth of the game.
Los Angeles abruptly erased its deficit by going on a 17-4 run to open the fourth, with James putting the Lakers ahead when he stole the ball from Antetokounmpo for a layup with 6:02 left. Milwaukee missed nine of its first 12 shots in the period, but Porter's layup tied it with two minutes left.
Lakers starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura remain sidelined by injury, but Hachimura (calf) might return early next week from his six-game absence, coach JJ Redick said.
Bucks: At Denver on Sunday.
Lakers: At Sacramento on Monday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart, left, tries to shoot as Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. go after a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
